May Day Awards 2026: Record 189 honoured for caring for workers and supporting their progress

The NTUC May Day Awards 2026 will honour a record 189 individuals and organisations who have made a difference in the lives of workers and the Singapore workforce.

The annual event, to be held at Orchid Country Club on 13 May 2026, celebrates the contributions of union leaders, tripartite partners, management representatives, workers, and organisations that have improved workers’ wages, welfare, and work prospects.

As NTUC marks 65 years of championing workers’ interests and contributing to Singapore’s nation-building, this year’s awardees exemplify the resilience and compassion that have shaped the Labour Movement.

In line with the May Day 2026 theme, “Caring for You, Supporting Your Progress”, 160 distinguished individuals will be recognised across the following categories: Medal of Honour, Distinguished Service (Labour), Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service, Comrade of Labour (Star), Medal of Commendation (Gold), Comrade of Labour, Friend of Labour, Medal of Commendation, Partner of Labour Movement, and Model Worker.

Union leaders will receive awards under the Distinguished Service (Labour), Comrade of Labour (Star), and Comrade of Labour categories.

Meanwhile, tripartite and management representatives will be recognised in the Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service, Medal of Commendation (Gold), Medal of Commendation, Friend of Labour, and Partner of Labour Movement categories.

The spotlight will also shine on workers in the Model Worker category.

Twenty-nine outstanding organisations will be recognised across the Plaque of Commendation (Star), Plaque of Commendation (Gold), Plaque of Commendation, and Partner of Labour Movement categories.

The prestigious May Day Awards, held annually since 1963, is one of the Labour Movement’s signature events to mark workers’ contributions in Singapore.

Workers for workers

As the core of the Labour Movement, union leaders play a pivotal role in representing workers’ interests and addressing the everyday challenges workers face. As workers themselves, they can relate to the issues and provide the right support.

Distinguished Service (Labour) awardee, DBS Staff Union (DBSSU) President Emeritus Nora Kang Kah Ai, is a union stalwart with a career spanning more than five decades, beginning in 1972.

Through DBS’s sweeping digital transformation, Ms Kang stood alongside workers, easing anxieties, accelerating reskilling in artificial intelligence and data capabilities, and advancing fairer outcomes through organisational change.

Among the Comrade of Labour (Star) recipients, United Workers of Electronics and Electrical Industries (UWEEI) General Treasurer and Energizer Singapore Pte Ltd Branch Chairman Sukartini Mohd Mawar, championed productivity-linked wage progression to ensure that productivity gains were shared equitably with workers.

Also recognised are Singapore Insurance Employees’ Union (SIEU) President Tan Poh Lay, and National Taxi Association (NTA) Executive Council Member Colin Neo Kay Choon.

Workers have also proven themselves worthy of acclaim.

This year’s Model Worker awardees bear the hallmark of Worker 4.0 – ready, relevant, and resilient individuals who elevate their careers through upskilling, productivity improvements, and adaptability to a fast-changing work environment.

Grace Krishnan, a Senior Patient Service Associate Executive at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) for 20 years, pursued a Diploma in Healthcare Management while working full-time, applying her training to establish operational workflows that improved service delivery.

During the National Billing System rollout in 2025, she guided colleagues through digital tools and encouraged them to embrace workplace capability initiatives.

Also recognised is Singapore Safety Driving Centre (SSDC) Senior Driving Instructor Salehin Mohamad Ali for representing members in wage negotiations, anticipating workplace challenges, and his commitment to upskilling.

Partners for progress

Supported by the strong partnership of management and tripartite partners, the Labour Movement has made significant strides in improving the lives of workers in Singapore.

This year’s Medal of Commendation (Gold) – the highest honour bestowed on management personnel – recognises two leaders.

Ministry of Education Deputy Secretary (Services) James Wong established competitive wage structures for educators, grew the annual teacher intake to future-proof the education workforce, and strengthened flexible work and career development pathways.

Singtel Group Chief Executive Officer Yuen Kuan Moon championed progressive wages and expanded union representation to include managerial-grade employees, strengthened skills training and employee development, and provided flexible work arrangements and well-being support for workers.

Among the Partner of Labour Movement awardees, Amity Global Institute’s Adrian Raj Angappan has been a steadfast advocate for union partnership, with his engagement with the Education Services Union (ESU) paving the way for the organisation’s unionisation and extending representation to more workers.

Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) President Krishnasamy Jayaprema has engaged migrant domestic workers and employers through community events and partnerships in collaboration with NTUC Women and Family.

Tech Talent Assembly President Maxim Tint has advanced skills development – including in artificial intelligence – and supported career growth among tech professionals.

Organisations that have shaped Singapore’s workforce

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Singtel, and ST Engineering are this year’s recipients of the Plaque of Commendation (Star).

A strong champion of tripartism, CAAS works closely with the NTUC Aerospace and Aviation Cluster to jointly develop strategies and initiatives that advance the aviation sector’s and workers’ interests, and support workers in capability development.

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) will receive the Plaque of Commendation (Gold).

In close partnership with the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU), KTPH extended retirement and re-employment ages ahead of the national timeline, and has invested in job redesign, a ward allowance, and expanded family care leave provisions to support healthcare workers.

Among the Plaque of Commendation awardees, Vantive Manufacturing Pte Ltd upheld a firm “no worker left behind” commitment during its spin-off from Baxter, achieving zero retrenchment through clear redeployment pathways, on-the-job training, and mentorship.

The company formed a Company Training Committee (CTC) with the Chemical Industries Employees’ Union (CIEU) to equip workers with digital tools, lean practices, and multi-skilling capabilities aligned with Progressive Wage Model (PWM) principles.

Nine organisations and 29 individuals will also be honoured with the Partner of Labour Movement Award.

White Beehoon Restaurant Pte Ltd has worked with NTUC SME Partners to adopt the Food Services Progressive Wage Model, committing to a 5.5 per cent wage increment for 20 local workers and sponsoring NTUC membership for all its employees.